The Legacy of Andrew Jackson: Essays on Democracy, Indian Removal, and Slavery

Walter Lynwood Fleming Lectures in Southern History

by Robert V. Remini

Robert V. Remini, the nation's foremost authority on Andrew Jackson, has over the past three decades published numerous books on Jackson and his presidency, including a much-praised three-volume biography. His mastery of sources and singular diligence in advancing a revised image of Jackson are universally respected. In The Legacy of Andrew Jackson, Remini discusses Jackson's role in three areas of particular democracy, Indian removal, and slavery. Thoughtful and illuminating, these essays will be of great interest to historians of the Jackson era and to all students of American history.

Genres: American History, History

132 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Steven]

These three essays are informative; however, I found some of Remini's opinions concerning Jackson's legacy overly celebratory. More objectivity would be warranted, especially in his essay on slavery. His statements about the political motives of John Q. Adams are, at best, dubious.

[Michael Lewyn]

As the title suggests, this book is three short essays. The essay on democracy was particularly interesting because it shows how Jackson was ahead of his time: because he wanted to expand popular sovereignty over government, he wanted Senators to be directly elected (and for only four years!) and was apparently not a fan of the Electoral College. However, he favored checks and balances that we do not have today- in particular, limiting the President to one term. This book definitely gave me a better understanding of why liberals and populists admired Jackson (until race because the dominant issue in American politics, that is!)

Remini's discussion of Jackson's position on slavery was also interesting. Because Jackson took slavery for granted, he and his supporters didn't really take abolitionism seriously- if I understand Remini correctly, they suggested that abolitionists and fanatically pro-slavery Southerners were conspiring to split the U.S. up into northern and southern nations, rather than arguing about the merits of slavery.

[Will]

As someone with Whiggish tendencies, I see much less to admire in Jackson than Remini does. However, in these lectures, Remini makes a detailed and almost convincing, though at times too apologetic, case for Jackson’s positive legacy in American history.

[Cool Long]

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